Participating in Democracy: Creating a Culture of Citizenship in Primary Classrooms

Authors

Mindi Reich-Shapiro, CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community CollegeFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Fall 10-2018

Abstract

This study explores development of civic participation in children in primary (K-2) grade classrooms. It examines how teachers and administrators create a culture of democratic participation that nurtures young children's developing civic competence and embodiment of the rules, rights and responsibilities of democratic citizenship; and how young children enact these rules, rights and responsibilities within the classroom. Obstacles and challenges faced by schools in achieving these goals within the current political and socioeconomic environment that frames education in the U.S. are also explored.

Comments

This article was originally published in Education in Democracy.